Thousands of firefighters have marched through Glasgow to highlight their ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.

The Fire Brigades' Union (FBU) estimated that 5,000 firefighters and emergency control staff from across the UK turned out for the rally.

They were marching in support of calls to increase the workers' minimum wage from �21,531 to �30,000.

Our message has always been 'Don't praise us, pay us'

Andy Gilchrist FBU

To date the pay plea has been rejected by Scotland's local authorities, who employ the emergency services.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Colsa) argued that councils could not afford the extra �45m the move would cost.

However, the FBU said low pay has affected morale and the pay deal struck in 1977 was now out of date.

General secretary Andy Gilchrist said: "Today's demonstration is about making the public understand that firefighters, wherever they are, are prepared to risk their lives.

"But we are simply stating that �21,000 a year is inadequate and disgraceful.

Common ground

"Our message has always been 'Don't praise us, pay us'."

The union and employers will meet on Tuesday in an attempt to find some common ground and secure a compromise.

The FBU said it was willing to talk but also warned that members had been balloted and agreed to strike if negotiations failed to bear fruit.

A pay deal was last agreed 25 years ago

In response, Cosla said the union should not make demands or threats.

Last month 12,000 fire service workers marched in Trafalgar Square in London over their claim.

Further mass rallies are planned in Swansea and Belfast over the coming weeks.

The uniformed marchers who took to the streets of Glasgow carried red and yellow banners while sounding horns and blowing whistles.

Mr Gilchrist told the rally in George Square that the union would be seeking a recommendation for strike action if talks with national employers failed.

Scottish Trades Union Congress general secretary Bill Speirs said firefighters had been "taken for granted" by the government for too long.